Ms. Becky Wood is a first year teacher at the Owatonna High School. She teaches two nursing assistant classes and assists in a fire fighting class, which is new to the high school this year. Wood previously worked in St.Paul expanding their medical department. 

When changing work environments it can be a harsh change. Ms. Wood said, “It has been almost a complete 180 going from working in St.Paul to working in Owatonna, the culture is completely different here than it was there.” Students all come to class on time and excited, they look forward to seeing the labs and different lessons which is different than Wood's experience in St.Paul. 

Teachers have a big impact on their students. Sophomore Ella Henriksen said, “I really like that class because the teacher has a good method of teaching the curriculum and I can get my CNA license from it which is really exciting.”  Students are excited to sign up for this class as well as enjoy Wood as a teacher. 

She went to school originally to be a phyctotenchecoligist, which analyzes cells for cancer, at University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Then, she worked in a lab in Iowa and later at the University of Minnesota. While there, she got her education degree and applied to get a job at Riverland College, which she didn't get; this led her to her current job at OHS.  

Wood is settling into the program and curriculum comfortably. Ms. Wood said, “There is much more of a community feel here and that she is really enjoying getting to know her students better and connecting with them as well as learning our traditions.” She is looking forward to homecoming. Her favorite thing so far is the excitement she gets from her students and she's happy that kids are excited to learn and expand the nursing community.

Woods room is 118, it can be located to the right of the cafeteria. Students can stop by her classroom to learn more about the nursing programs at OHS.